The European ground squirrel the European ground squirrel is found in plains and mountainous landscapes of forest-steppe and steppe zones. He settles on pastures, virgin, fallow and uncomfortable for the treatment of the land (for example, very stony), on the outskirts of the arable lands, forest edges, in abandoned gardens, at roadsides. Avoids damp areas, banks of ponds, areas with dense tree and shrub vegetation. On arable lands in contrast to the speckled ground squirrel suit only temporary dens destroyed when plowing. Lives in small isolated colonies, with a population density of usually not higher than 7-10 OS.. Permanent burrows of the European ground squirrel have 1-2 output. At half of small animals moves in a hole only vertical, at a quarter — only inclined, at the others — on one inclined and one vertical. Inside there are 1-2 nesting chambers lined with dry grass; less often 3-5
